Episodes

Prescott Balch is a retired technology executive and community advocate who has become a leading voice for Wisconsin residents navigating the arrival of large-scale data centers. With a 38-year career in technology, including 18 years as a senior executive at U.S. Bank, Prescott brings a unique "insider" perspective to the debate over industrial land use and rural preservation. Drawing on his extensive background in software development and data center operations, Prescott helps communities und...

At 21, Lauren Ripley was diagnosed with a brain disease that changed her life. Instead of giving up, she dug in and got to work, learning how powerful food could be in healing the body and mind. Now at 28, she’s about to be Mom (any day) and three years into opening The Farmacy, a Green Bay restaurant built on her mission to help others feel better, eat better, and live better. In this episode, Brad and Lauren discuss culinary school and travelling, contracting Rat Lungworm Disease in Hawaii, u...

Austin Skalecki is a Wisconsin-based (Door County) songwriter whose music blends Americana, blues, and folk. Grounded in nostalgic, authentic storytelling, his songs capture the worn-in truths of everyday life—echoing the sounds and stories that linger long after the song ends. In this episode, Austin and Brad talk about his music, the craft of songwriting, playing music until he's gone, travelling, the line between motivation and being forceful and letting things happen, and so much more thoug...

Dan Infalt, aka "The Hunting Beast", is an absolute legend of the Wisconsin Whitetail woods and marshes. Growing up in Southeast Wisconsin the youngest of 11 siblings, hunting, fishing, trapping, and gathering were more than an outdoor passion. They were a key to surviving. Putting that food on the table was the foundation of decades of development as an outdoorsman, including his primary pursuit, chasing mature whitetails on pressured Wisconsin Public Land. Today, when he isn't in the woods him...

Born in Beaver Dam and raised in Reeseville, Sara Hankes is a Wisconsin-based artist who has been dabbling in drawing and painting since she was able to grasp a pencil. Guided by her grandmother (a very talented artist) who taught her different painting techniques as a teen. After buying a little farm on the Manitowoc river in 2021, she has used the animals and the beauty that surrounded her to inspire the creation of beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces.I n this episode, Brad and Sara talk about th...

Up North Jake, a.k.a. Jake LaCoste, is a dynamic rapper and singer hailing from Northern Wisconsin. Drawing inspiration from his experiences with hunting, fishing, back roads, lakes, family, and addiction recovery, Jake crafts authentic and heartfelt songs that resonate with listeners from all walks of life. In this episode Brad and Jake talk about his passion for Wisconsin and being an independent artist here, sobriety and his path quitting drinking, mentality and mindset, Fatherhood and evolv...

Justin Schmick is a a former police officer, current insurance agency owner, Alderman in the city of Omro, and social media content creator. In this episode Brad and Justin discuss leaving a career as a police officer to find more passion and enjoyment in his work, being an entrepreneur, virality and developing a large social media following that started with a few "dad jokes" with a coworker, the insurance industry, his self-described "beef" with Russell Nicolet, and much, MUCH, more. https://...

Jeff Pritzl is the recently retired Deer Specialist with the Wisconsin DNR. Following formative years growing up in Marshfield, then earning bachelor's and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin – Steven’s Point in natural resources and wildlife management, Jeff began his career with the DNR in 1988. After multiple promotions, and spending almost 19 years as a Wildlife Program Supervisor, Jeff ultimately voluntarily accepted a “demotion” by taking the Deer Specialist position, wanting...

Tim Sternitzky, aka "The Maple Dude", is a Wisconsin based entrepreneur and maple syrup producer harvesting and distributing some of the finest liquid gold Wisconsin maple trees have to offer. In this episode, Brad and Tim discuss harvesting maple syrup and taking it from a hobby to a full-time business(of course), the positive and negative impacts of technology and social media, being an entrepreneur and the mindset that comes with it, raising bison, the connection between the dairy industry in...

Kendall Casey is a retired World Champion Cheerleader, influencer, and entrepreneur based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In this episode, Brad and Kendall talk about the connection between social media and mental health, the challenges and benefits of being a young entrepreneur, how relationships and social interactions change as an audience grows, starting influencing and social media with intention as a young teen cheerleader, getting Alix Earle into a Green Bay bar through the side door, and MUCH m...

Keifer Sykes is a professional basketball player known for a decorated college career at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, a championship win in Poland with Legia Warsaw, and his time in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers. He recently became the General Manager for the UWGB men's basketball team and had his #24 jersey retired by the program. His life and career are the subject of the 2018 documentary film Chi-Town. In this episode, Brad and Keifer have a deep and reflective discussion about t...

Natalie Jansen is a morning show host on WIXX, former 102.9 The Hog Rock Girl, and reality tv alum from VH1's Dating Naked. In this episode, Brad and Natalie discuss her radio career, love of the industry, and it getting kicked off by being the Rock Girl, the importance of continuous self-work and mental health, parenthood, her time on Dating Naked, wild times on Milwaukee's North Avenue, serving at the EastSider, and her embarrassing story from on tour with the band Disturbed. https://www.ins...

Russ Nockerts is a Pitmaster and the Owner of Steel Belly Barbecue in Algoma, Wisconsin. The decision to take his business full time stemmed from a lunchbreak phone call with his wife, halfway through his day as a welder, where she mentioned that they should talk about taking focusing more energy on Steel Belly. That "talk" ended up happening that night, with Russ giving his two weeks notice when he went back in to work. Today, they are stacking and racking the BEST briskets and barbecue in Wisc...

Dr. John Utrie is a retired urogynecologist/pelvic surgeon who suffered for decades with the debilitating effects of cluster headaches (also known as suicide headaches). Pushed to the brink of deciding if live was worth living having to deal with the excruciating pain and agitation that comes with cluster headaches, John was down to a decision, leave this life by his own hand or try something illegal after years of "walking the straight and narrow". Ultimately, after much research and deliberati...

Dan Lawrence is a successful founder, entrepreneur, and Unites States Air Force veteran. Following his honorable discharge, Dan started a successful career in the private sector, quickly leading a national lighting and electrical contractor from $11mil in sales to over $46mil in the span of six years. Feeling his value to the organization was outweighing the benefits he was receiving, Dan bet on himself and founded TLL Lighting, which ultimately became TLL Solutions, which supports brick and mor...

Dr. Ryan Martin (aka the Anger Professor) is a leading expert on emotional wellness and anger management. He helps people master emotional challenges and harness the power of emotions—especially anger—for personal growth and success. His work focuses on delivering practical, research-backed strategies through clear, direct, and actionable advice. In his role as Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Ryan combines academic leadership...

Born into a Wisconsin-based cult, Shifrah Morgan (and MANY others) endured a life of abuse, trauma, and manipulation until she was able to escape. The Shawano based group, known by several names including the "Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology (SIST) and the "Rama Cult", has left a wake of negative impact since being founded in the early 70's by a man formerly known as Rama Behera (he has changed his name several times over the years and is now thought to go by Avraham Cohen). In ...

Arts Fishing Club is a Nashville-based indie-folk band known for their energetic live performances and heartfelt lyricism. Led by Christopher Kessenich (from Appleton Wisconsin), the band blends elements of rock, folk, and indie music. Their music captures a sense of adventure and camaraderie, reflecting themes of love, life, and the journey of chasing dreams. The band’s name is a tribute to Kessenich’s grandfathers and symbolizes perseverance and the joy of the journey rather than the end resul...

Sophie Herriot is a Wisconsin track and field athlete, who graduated from Arrowhead High School, moving on to pole vault at UW-Madison before transferring to Marquette last season. In this episode, Brad and Sophie discuss her passion for vaulting, having her Dad as a coach, mental and physical hurdles she has faced in being a D1 college athlete, NIL and marketing, being an influencer, the value of persistence, and much, MUCH, more! https://www.instagram.com/sophherriot/ As always, HUGE shouto...

12 years into a career in healthcare, with a good portion of those spent being a critical care pediatric nurse practitioner, Carey Sharpe was burned out and ready for a change. Her fist shift, transitioning into entrepreneurship as one of two owners of The Howard in Oshkosh, was a taste of life outside of healthcare. She followed that with a project rekindling one of her first loves, music. Sharpe, a classically trained violinist, along with a carefully curated team of partners are now full stea...

Brian Johnson is the President and CEO of On Broadway, Inc. in Green Bay and an Alderman representing Green Bay's 9th District. After graduation from UW-Madison with a degree in Political Science, Brian's dream of becoming a member of Congress shifted to being an entrepreneur. After a stint in contracting, he spent 7 years as a business owner before selling and beginning work for the Green Bay Chamber. Then, in 2016, Brian became the leader of On Broadway, Inc., a position he still holds. Then, ...

Identifying a passion for teaching early, and following a path of serving and supporting others, Michael J. Brown has built a career on those principles (even before he was in the classroom). A dynamic individual that lights up the room, his charisma, positive energy, and genuine nature serve him well as he does it. Having the pleasure of knowing Michael for many years, I'm excited to give you a glimpse into him and his World. In this episode, Brad and Michael talk about being the youngest of 1...

From selling drawings to classmates as a kid to his current full time income being driven by his art, Ryan Ebert has always been a creator with an entrepreneurial spirit. Following 11 years as the Art Director for Hoard's Dairyman and Hay & Forage Grower Magazine, Ryan left his "comfortable" career to focus full-time on his art business. You can find him making some of the coolest fish decoys in the country, creating and screen printing apparel with his original artwork, and helping brands creat...

Amanda Miceli is an entrepreneur, creative, fashion designer, marketer, and speaker, on a personal mission to inspire and assist people in being their most authentic selves. The founder and CEO of the BOLD Marketing Agency, Amanda has not only built an incredible brand for herself, she does it for others as well. In this episode, Amanda and Brad discuss marketing and the importance (and definition) of a BRAND and how she builds them so well, creativity and art, fashion design, being an entrepren...